Prospective study examines consequences of marital disruption for children's behavior problems and academic achievement. Results show no statistically significant effects of marital disruption on girls' behavior problems or reading achievement. Negative effects of family disruption on boys' behavior problems are not reduced when prior family…

This article examines peer intervention as a strategy for modifying disruptive behavior in inclusive classrooms, focusing on the method known as peer confrontation. A vignette of this method's application to reduce the incidence of verbal abuse in a regular classroom is provided, and implications of peer mediation for inclusive schooling are…

Four students (ages 4-6) with developmental disabilities who exhibited challenging behaviors in teaching situations were exposed to high intensity and low intensity social interaction in a play situation and a task situation. Interaction intensity made no difference in students' behavior. Two students exhibited task avoidance and two exhibited…

Reports on a study of the determinism-free will debate presented in 15 textbooks published between 1956-1965 and 38 texts published between 1983-1992. Finds that most textbooks still favor a deterministic position. Issues a call to sociology teachers to reflect carefully about the way the choice debate is depicted. (CFR)

This article describes various types of allergies, how they are diagnosed medically, and the different forms of medical treatment. It also considers how allergies may affect school learning and behavior, the connection between allergies and learning and behavioral disorders, the impact of allergy medications upon classroom performance, and various…

Describes a study of 154 female teachers' perceptions of children's behavior problems in nursery classes in Greece. The overall prevalence rate identified by teachers for all behavior problems was 14.3%. Children's gender, age, and academic achievement, and teachers' teaching experience were found to be significant factors in the study, but the…

Discusses cases in which there is a conflict between what educators perceive as being best for children in light of their program's mission and what parents believe to be best in the context of home life. Suggests looking at problems of this nature from the perspective of each of the key players, one by one. (AA)

Gathered data on arcade use in adolescents (n=460). "Regular" arcade visitors varied sufficiently from the more "casual" visitors in their orientation to, and experience in, arcades. Regular visitors were more likely to score positively on indices screening for addiction. Raises questions about children's access to potentially…

This study found that the responses of 40 institutionalized adults with moderate mental retardation to the tasks of discriminating emotions and expressing empathy were poor in contrast to those with mild mental retardation. Of individuals with mild mental retardation, those with no chronic challenging behaviors scored better than those with…

The Problem Behavior Questionnaire is an indirect functional assessment instrument for use with students presenting behavior problems in general education settings. Preliminary studies indicate that the questionnaire offers a practical, easy assessment method which considers the potential effects of peer attention on problem behavior. The…

Analysis of social competence and problem behaviors for 164 special education students in grades K-3, using the Social Skills Rating System, found weak to moderate relationships between parents' and teachers' ratings. Gender comparisons revealed mixed findings. Results provide evidence for the instrument's convergent validity and suggest that…

Offers caregivers of children recommendations on what to do when an infant or toddler bites another child; changes in the room environment that can reduce biting; dealing with biting when it becomes a frequent, expected occurrence; and maintaining positive relationships with parents. (AC)

Explored prospective reciprocal relations between perceived parenting and adolescents' substance use and related externalizing symptoms. Findings supported the reciprocal effects model used. (ET)

Infants' attachment security with parents, parental behavior, and child behavior were assessed at 18-24 months; problem behavior was assessed when the children were in first grade. Found that mother-child relationship predicted later problem behaviors; father-child relationship did not. Also found that attachment security, maternal acceptance, and…

Examined differences between mothers of behavior-problem boys (MBPs) and mothers of average boys (MABs)in processing information in compliance situations. Found the MBPs made greater attributions of defiant intent toward the child and experienced more anger than MABs in ambiguous stimulus situations and that MBPs expected more resistance in…